5 comments about Temptation Come My Way.

1. It has been a very long time since I have been as excited about a band as I am with The Showdown. This album ROCKS!!!! from the get go. I happened upon the band as I was browsing the i-tunes store a few months ago. So I gave it alisten and the rest is history. Im not familiar with their earlier material,however; im sure its awsome. And the moral is.....buy the album you will not be dissapointed.



2. Here it is... take the best of Metallica, Motley, Black Label Society & Pillar and blend it into musical gumbo. Haven't heard the 1st album yet, but as a stand alone cd it's outstanding. Tight band, good groove, great melodies. The only that could be improved on is the arrangements. The producer got a great songd out of the band (guitar, drums and bass are a MASSIVE wall of sound) but there's no texture & the few harmonies in there are buried in the mix



3. I have been on the hunt for a good Christian Metal band. I've been a fan of Pillar and Skillet, but wanted something fresh.
   
   I picked these guys up without knowing anything about them, listened to the sample tracks in the store and the CD immediately came with me to the checkout.
   
   I think as far as lyrics go, these guys could easily pass for a secular band. The difference is that all of the lyrics are positive messages.
   
   What you will find are excellent drummer, fantastic guitar licks... including some melodic guitar showcasing their talent. and the vocals are some of the best I've heard in awhile. Their rendition of "Wayward Son" would make Kansas (the original band to play this song) shake in their boots.
   
   Their 2004 album was definitely hard core metal, and I don't usually care to go to that extreme, and opted not to buy it. They took a turn for the better here by showing their audience that they can actually hold a tune and play some melody.
   
   In short... if you like hard rock/metal, buy this album! You won't be disappointed.



4. I like this CD, but it is a totally different genre than the other one. You can't really even tell that it is the same band.



5. THis has to be the best album ever... Every song is absolute superb:) From the very beginning of the first song, through the ending of the last is pure magic. I'm never getting tired of listening to this CD.

5 comments about Greatest Hits - In Christ Alone.

1. I listen to this CD every night when I go to bed. It's the best and everyone should have one. Michael is an awesome singer.



2. This cd is awesome. I like fast, upbeat songs as well as slow meaningful ones. This cd has both. Michael English is back on his way to the top.



3. I love love love Michael English's voice. This album is so powerful, I enjoyed every moment of it and each song is so fantastic. His version of "Mary Did You Know" is the best version I ever heard. I repeat that one all the time when I listen to this CD. I pray Michael will continue in his walk with the Lord and overcome all his struggles. I will keep listening to his music.



4. fantastic collection of some of his greatest hits including two new songs that should get plenty of airplay. a couple of listens to "right where you are" and "maker of the road" and you will be singing them all day long. michael never disappoints with his music and this newest cd continues that winning tradition.



5. Michael English has thee best voices in Christian music. This greatest hits collection shows his vocal talent. The new song Right Where You Are is another great song with a great hook and chorus. I think that Michael really got black balled by so-called christians. How are they to judge him. So what, he made a mistake just like every single one of you do. He was totally mistreated by the christian community. This is why I choose not to go to church or surround myself with hypocrites anymore. Michael is just a man. He is also a terriffic voice in music.

5 comments about If I Left the Zoo.

1. Great CD. Seems like Jars of Clay got back to the basics with this CD. Loved it.



2. I am unable to review a JARS OF CLAY album without being positively influenced by the memory of hauling my two sons, their teenage youth group friends, and our dogs and cat around in my enormous Toyota Landcruiser in Costa Rica in the late 90s and early years of the new millennium with this music blaring. There, I got that off my chest.
   
   So at this remove, how does JARS OF CLAY work now that I sit in my basement office in Indiana without all those marvelous distractions?
   
   Not bad, actually. They kind of grow on a guy all over again.
   
   The music is not bombastic, not even full. It's the song-writing that lasts more than anything, as though the music were as much as anything a sonic envelope delivering to the ear some rather deft wordsmithery.
   
   That's not a bad thing. Lots of music has been heavy on the message and light on the noise.
   
   Lyrically, the album is anchored by 'Famous Last Words':
   
   'You say you heard every word, but I watched you turn away
   Your eyes grew colder than winter
   "Love is so intrusive," I thought I heard you say
   And laugh so unconvincingly
   
   Famous last words, "I'm not ready yet"
   "I won't be gone a minute"
   
   Narrow is the road and too high a price to pay
   When loneliness is such a sanctuary
   Empty are the musings and wasted are the days
   When you say you were only waiting
   
   And famous last words, "I'm not ready yet"
   "I won't be gone a minute" and I won't forget
   Famous last words
   If tomorrow never comes, will I ever know that I was in love?
   
   I was in love
   In love
   
   You say you heard every word, I watched you turn away
   You said you were only waiting'
   
   The writer has captured the poignance in moments made significant only by their unexpected aftermath.
   
   Yet one best discerns the heart of this band in 'Grace', a tune that expresses simple gratitude in terms clear enough to balance out the occasionally too clever articulation of introspection:
   
   'God, I admit I haven't changed
   Playing card houses still covering my landscape
   I never expected You to stay
   When I'm grabbing for these crumbs and cold loose change
   
   I feel Your grace come running over every road
   I love the way You're calling overflow
   I feel Your grace come running over every road
   You break the floodgates down and carry all
   
   God, I admit that I've loved these chains
   And crawling around this cage sometimes has its advantages
   I know someday this could get old
   And I'll need Your healing water to find my home'
   
   
   'I feel your grace come running over every road' arguably stands as the raison d'etre of a band that says lots of other things well, too.
   
   'Jars of Clay' does not compete for my personal 'favorite band' status, but that's OK. Their song of grace is enough for me.



3. Being an athiest, I always had a love for bluegrass, and folk music. This cd, while not fitting in either genre, and more into alternative rock, I found I was more than pleased to play the CD, while yes this CD is of course, christian, I found I can put many of the songs on this one (and their debut album), onto a secular stand point.



4. I love this CD. My favorites are "No One Loves Me Like You Do" and "Hand". I enjoy all of Jars of Clays' albums. This one is well-done and musically it's superb.



5. I loved it. This was my first exposure to new "Christian Rock/Altenrative" whatever you want to call it. Other than Stryper from and Petra from the 80's, I had never heard any "Christian" music.
   
   Anyway, I picked this up about 2 1/2 years ago and couldn't get enough. So, I bought "Much Afraid" and didn't like it as much. Different type of music. It's interesting to see how a group can have such different sytles in a 2 year period. I haven't picked up any other works of theirs since, but I plan to. I guess I'm "Much Afraid" that I won't like it as much as the "Zoo"!!
   
   I recommend this album to anyone that loves music and God!

2 comments about Stronger.

1. Love the lyrics & music - haven't listened to any other CD since I got this one. Highly recommend it!



2. On her latest album, Tammy Trent manages to be simultaneously musically effervescent and lyrically deep. The production is light and breezy, making this an infectious pop collection that will grab the listener by the ears. The dominant theme is hope shining through the darkness, and Trent, who lost her husband in a 2001 scuba accident, delivers it with authority and compassion. "I'm Letting Go" is a poignant song of surrender, while "You've Already Shown Me" serves to remind us that God amply demonstrates his love. But the centerpiece of this collection is the achingly vulnerable ballad "Edge of the Water," penned by Trent and Alisa Childers. This is powerful music from a survivor who continues to move forward with a sweet spirit and a voice filled with unfailing hope and faith. --Deborah Evans Price

5 comments about Healing Rain.

1. Very simply, as a 24 year old longtime fan of Michael W Smith's music, this CD was a little disappointing. It just didn't really lift me up in any way. That's all........



2. Just when I thought he can't top his last album, he does it again! I absolutely love this album and would recommend it to anyone who loves Contemporary Christian music. It's hard to say which songs are my favorite because I love them all.
   
   A MUST HAVE for any Smitty fan out there!



3. Maybe the younger listeners are right. Maybe this CD will appeal more to the older generation. I liked the CD, especially "Human Spark", as much for the Bruce Hornsby and Mark Knopfler influence, as anything. I listen to a lot of CCM, since I program an hour of daily praise music on a low-power radio station. (The show's not cutting edge; but it's eclectic, since we try to appeal to all ages.) The CD may not inspire you to action, but it will help you think about your next step.



4. The following was written by another who left a review:
   
   'Healing Rain' failed to move me towards taking action in my daily life, I feel if a CCM artist is going to record an album, I want to get music that inspires me to love my neighbor when I don't want to, and to have unconditional compassion towards people that are opposite of me or of different cultures or lifestyles. Hopefully MWS and CCM can once again join the world in trying to make it a better place, instead of this 'keeping to ourselves' mentality.
   
   I cannot disagree with some comments made by this person on the ablum as a whole. I enjoyed the album, however, for what it offers musically, despite what it does not offer. Keep in mind that even the best artists cannot knock it out of the park every time. An average Smitty album is still better than many other artists' best albums.
   
   I would like to say that I am disappointed in some expectations on Christian music. It can be a sign of where a person is with God in general. Our relationship with God is what should grow and inspire us - not little tools we try to integrate in our lives (such as music). I agree that God can and will use anything - including inspiring music. It is dangerous to have it as a crutch so that we make such comments that show we expect nothing less than music that moves us to action. Pardon me - I think that should be the Holy Spirit. And even if a song or an album moves you - it is still credited to God.
   
   Christian music should be enjoyed or cast aside according to your preferences in music and according to what you know God wants you to expose yourself to regularly - but let's not put responsibility on music writers for our actions or lack of actions. Buy it or don't. Enjoy what you enjoy. Above all - praise and worhip God with your life. If an album gets in the way of that, by all means avoid it. If it does not meet your taste, fine. That does not mean it cannot still be useful to God.



5. I think that Smitty has done another great album. At first I was so-so about it, but after really listening, I have found this album to be solid musically and lyrically.
   
   Michael shows his creativity combined with a passion for God and the world around him. He also is someone who has shown grat character and courage in doing the "unpopular" things, such as supporting our country and the great things that God has allowed us to do around the world, in helping people have a chance at freedom.
   
   Smitty is a class act...a musician who uses his talents and time to reach the world with the message of God's love and grace, and with another amazing album.
   
   He is also a reflection of how far the rest of CCM has come as well. IT is great to see how it has progressed past trying to play catchup with the world, like it did in the 80's and early 90's, to being a group that has set the standards higher in all aspects!

5 comments about What I Was Made For.

1. What to do with $15 in birthday money? You're at Wal-Mart and you have the choice of Joy Williams' "Genesis" or Big Daddy Weave's "What I Was Made For". You've heard a couple of songs off both albums, and like them. What did I choose? Well, I thought buying Joy Williams would be embarrassing and not "manly" enough, so I said hello to the Big Daddy, and some bubble gum.
   
   Big mistake. There's only 3 1/2 songs I like, and one is a Wal-Mart exclusive live song of "Neighborhoods". With that song, I think the Big Daddy should make a live record.
   
   The album starts off well, "What I Was Made For" is a great rockin' song, and the band's best. "You're Worthy Of My Praise" is a great modern worship song, and Barlow Girl's best duet (that Selah one was just gosh darn awful). I also like Fred Hammond's part in "Killing Me Again". I think he has great lyrics in his part, and his short part in the track is better than all the tracks I haven't mentioned off this album, combined!
   
   That's right, the rest is pretty bad. After a couple of songs, the album becomes VERY formomatic. Other songs are just poorly constructed, and poorly executed. And even after reading the explanation to "The Track Of Silence", I still think it's an excuse to lengthen the album, so it actually seems like you're getting your money's worth. You're not.
   
   Overall, another bad formomatic album for the Big Daddy. I would recommend only buying the songs I mentioned off the Wal-Mart MP3 store to get the bonus track. Sorry Big Daddy, try a live record.



2. These guys rock and this cd is no exception to their brilliant reputation!! My favorite songs on this cd are Just the way I am and His name is Jesus. However, they are all awsome!!



3. You guys have done it again and better! This new CD should be rated with 10 stars. It is so Christ filled. The growth of you guys as a band is amazing. Every single song on the CD is magnificent. "Without You", is the greatest of all !
   The talent of Big Daddy Weave is the best out there.
   This CD showcases it all!



4. It seems so often in the field of Christian music that you have to choose between meaningful lyrics with spiritual insight and the often-noisy `rock' songs that are so catchy and enjoyable. However, with Big Daddy Weave's album WHAT I WAS MADE FOR...you get both!
   
   The title track `What I Was Made For' is a catchy rock number with uncompromising lyrics. It grows on you with each listening. (In fact, I was so intrigued by this song, I listened to it three times before I even listened to the rest of the album). Definitely one of the highlights of the album, 5 stars.
   
   "Just The Way I Am" is another great song with another great message. 5 stars
   
   "For Who You Are" demands that you turn it up. It is definitely one of the loudest, clearest songs about God's attributes that I know. 5 stars.
   
   "It's All About You" is one of the slower songs on the album...although it is far from boring. A good modern praise song. It's simple lyrics will make it easy to learn. 5 stars
   
   "You're Worthy of My Praise" has been one of my favorite modern worship songs since I first heard it on a Passion album BETTER IS ONE DAY. Barlow Girl (a great band) joins Big Daddy Weave on this rendition of this modern classic. 5 stars.
   
   "His Name Is Jesus" is a slighty-less-catchy rock song (compared to "What I Was Made For" and "Just The Way I Am", but a great song all the same. With repeated listenings, it's sure to accumulate fans. 5 stars
   
   "Give Up, Let Go" is a good song. 4 stars
   
   "Killing Me Again" is probably my least favorite song on the album. It is very different musically from the rest of the songs on the album. 3 stars.
   
   "Without You" is another slower paced song with merits all its own. 4 stars.
   
   "Words of Life" is another slow song. It is definitely one of the highlights on the album. 5 stars.
   
   Great for fans of Sonicflood, Third Day, Kutless, and Jeremy Camp.



5. The guys from BDW are the greatest bunch of guys you would want to know. Humble, Christ-driven, and down to Earth. I was first exposed to their music when I came across their independent release, "Neighborhoods." Ever since then, they've been on God's straight and narrow in doing what He wants them to do through their talents and music. This new album is right on with all of their previous releases: Honest, worshipful, encouraging, and inspires anyone who listens to it to want to grow their relationship with Christ. What a novel idea to leave the last track silent!!! Just The Way I Am, Give Up, Let Go, and Without You are some of my favorites. The sound is different...a little more heavy, but it's done so well. And the drum tracks are done to perfection. New and old fans, you won't regret this purchase.

5 comments about Take Me to Your Leader.

1. This is definitely the very best of the Newsboys cds. I grew up listening to this cd. The lyrics (Steve Taylor, you rock!) are challenging and funny. The music is great, varied, and interesting- not just sounding like a variation on the same theme. The album art- alright, you get the message. Some of the best Christian music around- BUY THIS CD if you like Christian rock.
   
   Has anyone else noticed that in the original case, if you take out the cd and pop out the plastic piece that holds the cd in place, there is a little picture of Peter Furler dressed up like an alien? With the plastic in place, all you can see is his eye...



2. Hello, This album is a good CD. I like the music. The songs are good too. Especially the Take me to your leader.



3. This is the album The Newsboys have not been able to top but should try to,although "Thrive" was a little close,but not close enough.The Newsboys sound like a full band here all the way through the disc,not leaving behind one bit of filler."Lost the Plot"is my personal favorite,the message is so "in your face""Reality","Breakfast",the title song, are all superb, to say the least.This album along with d.c.Talk's "Jesusfreak" are essential to any serious cd collection,really.............Enjoy!



4. I think this is the best album made by the Newsboys. This was made while Stve Taylor was still writing lyrics for them. And if you know Steve Taylor's style it generally has some sarcasm which makes you think a little while you listen to the great sound of the music. Breakfast is a real classic song which shows off the talent of both Steve and Peter. If you like the way the Newsboys sound then you will like this album.



5. I love this CD so,so much! Now,for my own little comments on each song:
   God is not a secret 7/10 This song kinda sets the mood for the CD,not one of my favorites but,it's OK.
   Take me to your leader 9/10 This one really draws you into the album,rock on!!
   Breathe 6/10 This one has the best guitar in it,but the cymbals get on my nerves after a while.
   Reality 8/10 Nicely done percussion!
   Breakfast 11/10 I think you get the point!
   Let it go 9/10 This one calms things down a bit,very nice acoustics!
   Cup o' tea 10/10 This song probaly is the hardest song on the CD.
   It's all who you know 7/10 Nice guitar riffs!
   miracle child 8/10 Starts off slow,but kinda get's a beat.
   Lost the plot 6/10 Probaly my least favorite,it's just too long!
   Breathe (benediction)9/10 A very sweet melody,I love the way Phil sings on this one!
   Overall,a very awesome sounding album.I highly recommend this!

3 comments about Our God Saves.

1. This CD makes a great addition to your personal collection, or if you lead worship in church as I do. The song styles are varied, but the content is deep. Paul writes from the heart, and it shows in this album. You'll find many new songs to share with your congregation.
   
   As a side note, I've met and talked with Paul at a couple of worship seminars. I've found him to be very down to earth and genuine about his place of service in the kingdom. It makes the songs on the album ring that much truer for me. Grab it!



2. Paul Baloche is excellent. I have waited way too long to add him to my worship collection. If you have ben considering his two most recent albums, Our God Saves and Greater Song, don't wait any longer.



3. This album rocks!!! His "Greater Song" album was good but I seriously think this is even better. If you are Paul Baloche's fan, this album is a must have. Cameo appearances of great worship leaders like Matt Redman and Kathryn Scott make it worthawhile.

5 comments about 11 Live - Jars of Clay in Concert.

1. very good
   satisfied on that dvd
   composition was perfect very graceful, and great~
   they are just great!!



2. Since these guys rarely tour the Northeast it was the only way for me to see them in concert. Pure entertainment. A DVD that I can leave on repeat all day. My 11 month old daughter enjoyed it as well. She seemed to find her rythm while watching. Great music, great message, great performance.



3. Jars of Clay are one of my favourite bands and I was blessed enough to see them live last year. They really inspired me to pick up my guitar again after a 5 or so year hiatus and now I'm gonna be worship leading at my local church!

   Inspiring is a good word to describe this dvd as well, it's really great. They cover most of my favourite songs (except "Frail", but you can't have everything) including highlights for me of "I need You", "Worlds Apart", and of course "Flood". The picture and sound quality of this dvd are perfectly fine, (why people want concert's in 5.1 I don't know, they generally are in stereo as are cd's). Jars are a quality outfit who sing and play with great passion and skill. I could watch these guys play for hours.

   Thanks for reading and enjoy this dvd, and thanks amazon for sending it so quickly to me!




4. After listening to Jars' for a couple years, I got this DVD so I could actually "see", them. I cannot explain this very well, but I see the band much differently after watching this. I saw who they really were.

   This DVD has a few special features outside the actual concert. It's great to watch if you are a Jars' fan. If you aren't really into them, you might not enjoy it very much. The quality is alright, nothing compared to a feature film though.




5. I thought that this DVD was great. I didn't notice anything wrong with the quality, but I don't know much about the technicalities of creating a DVD like this, so I think I'll leave that to the people who do. As far as the music, it's great, they picked some awesome songs and they sound great live. The extras such as 10:30 and artflick were cool too and I especially liked the acoustic performances. I think it would have been cool if they had included videos from some of the songs off of "The Eleventh Hour" too, but just the same, they had some nice extras. Overall though, I definitely recommend this DVD, I loved it. If you can't catch Jars in concert, then this is a good buy for you to experience them live.

5 comments about Bethany Dillon.

1. Her voice is so crisp and clear, and she is such a talented singer/songwriter. You would enjoy this for sure!



2. This project landed somewhere between alternative and folk. There are several good messages in the project, not just the same old same old in Christian music. The best songs on the project are "Revolutionaries", "Great Big Mystery", "Move Forward", the hit "All I Need", the Amy Grant cover "Lead Me On", and "A Voice Calling Out".



3. Bethany Dillon has one of the BEST VOICES I have ever heard! Her music grabs your heart, and doesn't let go. What a truly AMAZING TALENT!!



4. I love Bethany Dillon!I saw her CD in Borders and listened to a clip. I thought it sounded pretty good so my parents bought it for me for my birthday. I fell in love with the CD! I wrote her management and they sent me an autographed picure. I bought a Bethany Dillon shirt at her concert and she signed the back of it.
   
   She has the most touching lyrics! I was going through a rough time and her song "Hallelujah" from Imagination really touched my heart.



5. This is one teenager with a truly amazing voice. With a voice like this at 15, it will be a real treat to hear it when it has matured a bit. She may be in a category by herself by the time she is twenty.
   
   Bethany has the best super young voice I've heard since Lean Rimes first started singing professionally at twelve or whatever she was at the time.
   
   This CD has a big advantage over even Rimes. Bethany Dillon has meaningful songs with well written Christian lyrics. With those words added to her sound, she has a truly incredible combination.
   
   One interesting thing to me is the first song 'Revolutionaries.' On that song, her voice sounds a lot like Jennifer Knapp, who is one of my favorites. In the rest of the songs, her sound is quite different, but equally good.
   
   Some of the songs that I think are particularly good are: 'Revolutionaries', 'Beautiful', and 'All I Need'. None of the songs on this album is a dud though.
   
   Although I hadn't heard her before, I will definitely be watching for her recordings in the future.